Are B&M Stand-Ups done for?

The last B&M Stand up built was Georgia Scorcher in 1999. What is the speculation that there will be any in the future? Are they a lost cause, or do you think we'll see a new stand up again? Your thoughts...

Stand-ups are old, the concept sounds nice, but its makes for a bad ride. I've been on shockwave at pkd and mantis at cedar point and I hate them both. They're very uncomfortable and painful. I doubt we'll be seeing any new ones again.

Well, don't base your opinion on Mantis and Shockwave. Shockwave isn't even a B&M, and Mantis just plain sucks. But the Georgia Scorcher (which I can technically call the newest stand-up in the world) is a very good, comfortable ride. I love it.

Can anyone here give an opinion on Chang or Riddler? Those two look awesome. Just wondering. Thanks!

Mantis is fun... but it's an EXTREMELY rough ride in the back... the layout rocks, however.

The ride itself is more a gimmick than anything else. Stand-ups have had their run & now they're passe. B&M would still build them if a park wants one, but parks most likely will pass on that because it's just a gimmicky coaster type. Instead of sitting, you stand.

Old gimmicks that seem to have faded into the background (but still remain at parks) would be stand-ups, suspended (Iron Dragon), tilt, wooden loopers... among others.

The ones that will have a longer shelf-life with new models in the coming years that would still qualify as "gimmicks" (which isn't really a bad name) that have worked well for the parks include the flyers (B&M & Vekoma), floorless, spinning and possibly a new generation of 4D models.

New concepts that will probably be around for a longer time include the launched.

Then of course... you can always take an existing model type & just add a new spin on it to make it a new "concept" like Intamin Impulses or those giant Invertigo Boomerangs.

OK, time for me to jump in and give my "RR is my favourite coaster on the planet" spiel
;)

I really like Riddler

Smaller standups such as "Viper" at La Ronde compare in no way! Standups need to be big - this has probably to do with the Gs that need to be very controlled for this rider position.

I have yet to find a coaster that causes as much emotion in me as RR does - it's just pure floating perfection - a coaster you can trust completely - once you get beyond the terrifying aspect of dropping 146 feet feeling a little insecurely attached to the seat.
It's just so great to close your eyes and feel the forces at work on that ride - pure pleasure.

The way I like to ride it best is to get on somewhere in the middle of the train, not the front or the back as those can be a little tough on the legs in the last corkscrew.
I'm not informed about how it rides in 06 as the last time I have been on it was several years ago, but back then, there was not a single bump or bang throughout the whole thing - smooth as glass, as people say.
The only thing that distracted from the otherwise perfect experience is the way it puts all the Gs on your legs or your crotch during the last 2 inversions. It's no problem at all in the middle of the train, but front and back can be a little uncomfortable.
The bicycle saddle aspect of course is a little awkward and touches upon certain taboos, which probably makes standups a little harder to market, I guess.

But standing up is not just a gimmick!
I think it really enhances the sense of freedom and weightlessness in the inversions:
The concept of RR is fantastic - you can strech out your body to the full length an float weigthlessly through these gigantic inversions.
I have never experienced anything like it - my favourite ride!
Thanks, B&M!

:)

*** Edited 1/17/2006 8:19:53 PM UTC by superman***

RR is a really great ride. Easily the best Stand-Up.

(Sorry, Georgia Scorcher.)

Riddler and Scorcher are the only two I'll even bother lining up for. I won't ride the others even if there is no line.

Riddler offers some decent forces and great visuals, and is the most comfortable to ride, while Scorcher is the best overall because of it's tight layout. The rest are just boring, rough and uncomfortable.

All the parks that wanted them already have them. It's a gimmick that just didn't stick, simple as that.

Superman I agree with you 100 percent. RR was amazing! I like the other stand-ups but nothing can compare to RR. Chang was fun, Georgia Scorcher was a blast and Mantis is the most aggressive, but I still love it. To be honest, I also enjoyed Shockwave even though the old school style seats and restraints did make me a little nervous. Iron Wolf and Vortex were rough old things but nothing I wouldn't ride again. :)

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DWeaver said:
Riddler and Scorcher are the only two I'll even bother lining up for. I won't ride the others even if there is no line.

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I'd also go back for another dose of the Togo at PCW....but that's it for me as well.

That's the problem with Gimmicks...they get old with the public in time. Next to get the same fate: Flyers. Seems to be the way that coasters that alter your body position. Gimmicks that don't (inverted) can work it would seem.

I've ridden all of the B&M Stand-Ups, and I'll agree with the sentiments expressed by DWeaver; Riddler's Revenge and Georgia Scorcher are the best two, without question.

Chang is an interesting one - Six Flags have managed what the world previously thought impossible; making their B&M even more uncomfortable than the prototype SLC it sits beside. Honestly, last time I was on Chang it was shuddering so badly - on the lift hill no less - that I wondered what the hell I was doing riding it again.

On the other hand, I remember it as being fairly decent the first time I rode it. Shrug.

B&M standups seem like they might be done. They have went other ways in the coaster market. They seem to not draw as well as the inverts and the floorless coaster that they design. The concept of the floorless seems to really change the comfort factor. Most seem to have similiar layouts to the standup, but are better served not doing it that way. I think it is more of a popularity thing in parks compared to the ride experience in my opinion.

The thing with Stand-Ups is that you just spent quite a bit of time standing up queuing. The last thing you want to do is STAND for the ride. :)

From what I've heard, the stand up ride carriages put a lot of extra stress on the track and supports itself and that tends to be why they "age" faster.

For whatever reason, I seem to have pretty contrary opinions when it comes to stand ups. The ones I consider pretty good are Mantis, Iron Wolf, and PKI's Cobra. I have not ridden Scorcher (unfortunately, as I usually dig stand ups) but I found Riddler to be pretty dull. What I really like about stand ups are the fast, quick changes in direction and Riddler just had too much emphasis in loopies for me, without enough interest in the transitions.

Anyway...I still think there are a few parks that could benefit from a standup, but even a stand-up lover like myself can see why there are plenty of more viable options to go for in most cases.

^Finally someone else who has the same opinion of RR as I do. I didn't care for it either as it seemed to me that they tried to pack as many loops as possible into the ride.

I think I liked RR mainly because it was the first standup I rode that *didn't* hurt me.

Sorry, I guess the gentleness is exactly what I enjoy about RR
And the loopies are cool because they all have this extended moment of weightlessness at the apex - just can't get enough of that weightless tipping over at the top of the two dive loops.
I agree it's anything BUT a coaster with extreme forces, but that's just why I like it, it's like this giant gentle friend that you can totally trust not to hurt you.

My relationship with it is a little like the one between King Kong and the woman toward the second half of the new King Kong movie.
It's a relaxing coaster, really.

I would ride Shockwave at PKD over Iron Wold and Mantis...ANY day.

Superman I agree with you once again. I think its like comparing Raptor and Alpengeist. Alpengeist is bigger and more spread out which makes for a more gentle, graceful ride.